Losing initiative with 2-handed weapons

[aspiringlich]

I wasn't aware until recently of a B/X rule that states that characters wielding two-handed weapons always lose the initiative, regardless of their roll. It's stated on B27: "Whenever a two-handed weapon is used (including pole arms), the attacker ... will always lose the initiative, whatever the roll." I don't find an equivalent rule anywhere in Labyrinth Lord. Does anyone else incorporate such a rule in their game?

[gentleman john]

I've never felt the need to incorporate such a rule. I've always assumed that if a character is using a two-handed weapon then they have enough skill in using it to avoid any initiative penalty. If you really want to get into initiative modifiers for using a two-handed weapon, then you can argue that a spear at a distance (for example) will win initiative automatically, but in close combat will lose automatically.

[bighara]

I am testing out a house rule giving large 2H weapons like polearms a -1 to initiative, but you damage twice and use the greater number. This is similar to WFRP's "Impact" rule.

[Scott Anderson]

We play team initiative, so it never came up.

[Blood axe]

I would think the greater reach of most two handed weapons would cancel some of that out.

[Scott Anderson]

In mazes and minotaurs, reach weapons grant initiative bonuses- as in, you can hit people from farther away, so you can start your attack later, or something. (M&M is more fanciful than logical, but it does have internal consistency.)